Just a word of warning to always keep your eyes open - this mamba was found lying inside the stoep wall at Shimuwini and was captured and released with great difficulty!Fortunately it was still daylight and nobody cornered him by mistake - and I walk around camp in slipslops looking skywards with my binoculars

WOW, what an experience. Look at the strength of that body…lifting itself up like that. VERY dangerous situation for the staff though ….they do not have training to deal with such a dangerous snake, mostly they also do not have the proper equipment to handle a snake …and due to the pressure from tourist they cannot kill it, yet the tourist also want it removed….so thumbs up to the guys who literally put their lives on the line to remove these snakes.

We just returned from Kruger and stayed in Shimuwini for 2 nights. Not a bad choice, if you want to spend much time in camp. We stayed in number 6 (4 bed) but number 5 and 7 were next to us, and with both good views. If you want to see our pics just look here

"I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me"

I have just returned from Kruger and we went up North for the first time. We spent two nights at Shimuwini and loved the camp. The chalets are quite close to the fence and there was plenty of water in the river. The bird hide is great - well worth a visit although in the evening one feels a stimulating frisson of anxiety at the proximity of the ground outside the fence to the wide opening at the side of the bird hide! Just right for a leopard I thought, but Johan Mdluli the duty manager, assured me that this was very unlikely to happen.

The chalet we were in was spotless and maintained so whilst we were there, the beds were comfortable and the water was hot. My only criticism is that water leaked from the cistern into the bowl and the H C markings on the taps were invisible so we wasted more water by running the taps to find out which was which (er - just because right is H in the basin, it does not follow that R will be H in the shower . . . .)

The freezer, in a dedicated room by the gate, contains numbered wire baskets and your food goes into the same number basket as your chalet. The basket was just large enough for meals for two for a fortnight plus our extensive collection of freezer blocks.

Approaching Shimuwini there are two low-level bridges. At the second we came across a honey badger, rooting around in the river sand, snuffling for grubs. He was on our left - keep an eye open if you go that way!There is a lovely 8km drive along the river with lots of loops to the water and a picturesque baobab tree. This road is far more interesting than the 7km alternative.

The staff with whom we came into contact, Busi Shabangu and Johan Mdluli were pleasant, helpful and friendly. Johan, on hearing that we were moving to Mopani, showed us his wonderful cheetah photos, taken a few days before we arrived, and told us where we would be most likely to find them. Thanks Johan we found the male juvenile at Bowerskop marking territory early in the morning and the following evening we found the mother and two juveniles in the same place. She watched whilst they hunted down some impala (unsuccessfully!) then called them back - this is the first time I have heard a mother cheetah calling - what a wonderful sound!

Shimuwini is well worth staying in and it has a unique atmosphere. One thing we noticed was how quiet and considerate everyone was there, something very welcome after the rather brash south. Enjoy!

Cottage 1 is highly isolated as it faces the bush. No one will walk pass your cottage as it's at the far east side of the camp. Its other advantage is that it's much closer to the Bird-Hide where you can go and enjoy the scenery of the river view and animals going down to drink.

If you need a river view cottage, you better go for cottage 14. It has a wide open view to the river and it's towards the western end of the camp.

I would like to say that Shimulwini is special ...in fact I am dreaming of booking out the whole camp for my 50 birthday weekend ...still some time away. I always say that Sirheni is special for its remoteness, and Shimulwini is special for its outstanding views and staff. We had one of our best walks ever in KNP with Johan.BTW he has a wicked sense of humour ! I avoided staying there over the years because of my perceived opinion about the lack of game in the area...but it is a great place.some pic's for Shimulwini:pic's taken from the camp:Pic taken from birdhide:pic from walk: Shimulwini is outstanding and all credit to Johan and his team for their can do approach . I would also say it is a great camp for people who don't want to be in the car all the time. Time for another visit I think

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” by James Dean

We had some super sightings along the private road. Hyenas fishing at the first weir, closest to the tar road. Many other animals joined in on the act here. Black Stork, Water Monitor and an immature African Fish-Eagle.

Other lovely sightings on the private road included:

Buffalo, Giraffe, loads of Steenbok, nice breeding herd of Elephants, a group of 5 Ground Hornbills, Mosque Swallow, loads of Fiery-necked Nightjar, Square-tailed Nightjar and Bronze-winged Coursers, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl and Spotted Eagle-Owl. The river is alive with animals and birds. We got 7 Collared Pratincoles at the river in front of the camp and an immature White-backed Night-Heron also posed for some photos for some members of the BBW right in front of the bird hide.

Lions roared across the river on Saturday morning and evening.

We came across 4 Lions on a Buffalo kill on the Phalaborwa - Letaba road, near Erfplaas waterhole. We must've missed the kill by about 10 mins. All 5 vulture species were seen at this sighting. Unfortunately at this exact same spot a Honeybadger was run over and killed the day before. So most of the Vultures were already at this site and in business when the Buffalo turned its toes skywards. Of interest sake, the one female was perhaps the biggest Lioness I have seen in the Park. An unbelievable animal!

The Letaba bridge area just before the Shimuwini off ramp produced at least a dozen Dusky Larks. Not an easy bird to find in the Park. We also had Monotonous Larks here and close to the lion kill site as well.

Loved the camp and its ambiance. Loved the pool as the heat and humidity was almost intolerable! And a lovely Southern Foam Nest Frog made its appearance at the lapa near the pool as well.

wildtuinman wrote:I think the thing that really did it for me was the lack of traffic in that area.

You might find more traffic in that area now, WTM ! Thanks, I just added Shimuwini to my wish list

A long-standing business colleague and fellow KNP enthusiast has always told me that Shimuwini is his favourite. This year we are going there for 3 nights which is great! Unfortunately I have to wait until September..... Just re-read most of this thread, and now I really can't wait.

Can't wait to get back to Shim. We'll be staying there for four lovely nights this time. Last time we stayed at bungalow no 2, which is close to the lovely bird hide and the magnificent Jackalberry tree.

I have just returned from my second trip to Shimuwini and must say it is my favorite camp by far! The peace and quiet, even over a long weekend, is priceless and the staff are the friendliest and most helpful I have encountered in the park.

For those that were wondering what flood damage was done, the flood waters apparently did not quite reach up to the huts but it looks like they got very close. The hide is damaged and not in use and some of the benches on the lawns are missing planks. Apart from that it all look in good condition.

It seemed to me like there was less game than usual along the river road which could probably be put down to the flood damage. We saw hyaena and a lone buffalo but little general game.

However, we had incredible sightings on the main road between Shimuwini turn off and half way down to Phalaborwa. In one day we spotted two leopards, lions mating beside the road and wild dog on the sunset drive!!! Unbelievable especially when the general consensus is that game viewing is poor in the north.

I can also recommend going on a drive with Godfrey. I have so far done 3 drives with him and he has a ton of extra information which he is willing to share and makes the impression of a kid in a candy shop. Hard to beat his enthusiasm!

I agree that Godfrey is a wonderful guide and asset to the camp and to KNP. We have done two walks with Godfrey and both were so enjoyable and informative. He also took us on a special 'scenic' tour back to camp after our walk which added something special. His quiet yet confident, friendly and humble demeanour are very endearing and put you at ease at once.

Yes the low level crossing over the river is amazing. Did it the last time we were there and it was a real treat. I was disappointed that the access road had not been fixed yet this time round. However had we taken that route we would have missed the wild dogs!

Hi ForumitesWe are really looking forward to our stay at Shimuwini - first time for us after many years of visiting the park.Just some questions though. The accommodation description does not mention a 'fridge though it does say kitchen. Are there 'fridges in the 4 bed units? Do all the units face the river? Any recommendations for a particular unit number?Really looking forward to our visit here - from there we head for Shingwedzi for a week and then Punda for the same.Thanks muchly!